The Clinical Research Center at Eye Care Specialists is a fully integrated dynamic arm of the largest ophthalmic and optometric practice in Northeast Pennsylvania. Our Mission is to advance the state of the art clinical eye care by participating in clinical trials that explore new avenues of therapy and stretch the boundaries of what is possible for the treatment of eye disease.
The Clinical Research Center at Eye Care Specialists…because there’s so much to see.
Why Should I Participate in a Clinical Trial?
Clinical trials are fundamental to the advancement of medical science. They explore new ways to prevent, detect, or treat disease, and ultimately to improve the quality of life. You may decide to participate in a clinical trial for any of a number of reasons. Some volunteers participate in understanding that it is only through their involvement that medical science can be moved forward. Others hope to benefit from a new treatment or procedure that is still under study. Fundamentally, clinical trials move medical care into the future!
What are clinical trial phases?
Clinical Research Trials are used to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of medications or medical devices by monitoring their effects on groups of patients. They are conducted in a series of steps called phases. Each phase is designed to answer separate research questions.
Phase I: Researchers test a new drug or treatment in a small group of people for the first time to evaluate its safety and identify side effects.
Phase II: The drug or treatment is given to a larger group of people to see if it is effective and to further evaluate its safety.
Phase III: The drug or treatment is given to large groups of people to confirm its effectiveness, monitor side effects, and compare it to commonly used treatments.
Phase IV: Studies are done after the drug or treatment has been marketed to gather information on the drug’s effect in various populations and any side effects associated with long-term use.
Eye Care Specialists Research Team
Joshua Hedaya, M.D.
Dr. Hedaya’s research interests include new treatments for retinal diseases such as macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease, and retinal vein occlusion.
Erik Kruger, M.D.
Dr. Kruger’s research interests include new treatments for retinal diseases such as macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease, and retinal vein occlusion. Dr. Kruger has been the principal investigator on numerous clinical trials, many of which have resulted in new therapies. He has been involved in clinical research for over 15 years.
Daniel Lutz, M.D.
Dr. Daniel Lutz is a sub-investigator on several studies. His research interests include medical and surgical glaucoma treatment.
Harvey Reiser, M.D.
Dr. Reiser’s research interests include cataract and refractive surgery and innovative glaucoma therapies. He has been the principal investigator on numerous studies and has published many research articles in medical journals. He has been a speaker at ASCRS (American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons) conferences.
Richard Roth, D.O.
Dr. Roth’s research interests include eyelid and facial plastic surgery. He also participates in cataract and refractive and dry eye studies. He has been both a principal investigator as well as a sub-investigator on numerous clinical trials.
Carrie Cardillo, O.D.
Dr. Cardillo is a sub-investigator on numerous studies, including research on dry eye, cataracts, glaucoma, and refractive outcomes. She has been involved in clinical research for 10 years.
Lauren Kilduff
Lauren is a research technician who joined our team in 2019. She works primarily in our posterior segment clinical trials and serves as a study coordinator.
Patti Myers, C.O.T.
Patti is our anterior segment Clinical Research Manager. She has been employed at Eye Care Specialists for 15 years. She has vast research experience and has been a study coordinator for over 25 years. Patti’s contact number is 570-714-5910
Patty Yuhas, C.O.A.
Patty is our posterior segment Clinical Research Manager. She has been employed at Eye Care Specialists for 19 years. She has extensive research experience and has been a study coordinator for over 10 years. Patty’s contact number is 570-714-5901.
Alex Zubko
Alex joined our research team in 2018 and primarily serves as the unmasked study coordinator on our posterior segment clinical trials. He has been employed at Eye Care Specialists since 2010.
The Research Team at Eye Care Specialists can be reached by:
If you would like more information about one of our studies, please email the study-specific coordinator listed below.
NEAR-2 Study
Are you having a hard time seeing up close without reading glasses or bifocals? If you are 45-65 years old, you may have presbyopia and may qualify for a clinical research study.
The study is evaluating an investigational eye drop which may help improve near vision for people with presbyopia. Participants will be compensated for their time.
If you would like to participate in this clinical research study, or get more information, please contact Patti Myers at (866) 231-6500 or email pmyers@icarespecialists.com.
Kingfisher: Diabetic Macular Edema
A 12-Month, 2-Arm, Randomized, Double-Masked, Multicenter Phase ill Study Assessing the Efficacy and Safety of Brolucizumab every 4 weeks versus Aflibercept every 4 weeks in Adult Patients with Visual Impairment due to Diabetic Macular Edema (KINGFISHER).
A randomized, single-masked, active-controlled Phase 2 study of the safety, tolerability and efficacy of repeated doses of high-dose Aflibercept in patients with neovascular age-related Macular Degeneration.
If you’ve been told by your doctor that you have glaucoma or high eye pressure, you may be able to participate in a clinical study of the Travoprost Intraocular Implant.
To qualify, you must:
Be 18 years of age or older
Meet all other study-related criteria
Participants receive:
Thorough screening evaluation of your eye health
Follow-up visits for up to three years
Reimbursement for costs related to time and travel
How can you participate?
An intraocular implant containing a slowly releasing travoprost medication will be placed in your eye through a tiny opening in the cornea.
Ask your eye doctor if you are a candidate for the Travoprost Intraocular Implant clinical study.
To learn more about the Travoprost Intraocular Implant clinical study visit www.GlaukosClinicalTrials.com
Caution: New Drug—Limited by Federal (or United States) law to investigational use.
